Jazz notes

9:56am Friday 9th May 2008

THE Tony Kofi Quartet CD, The Silent Truth (Specific Records), is rated by Jazzwise magazine as a contender for the best British release, so far, of 2008.

York jazzers will speedily add a nomination for York's own Rob Lavers Quartet CD, Small Creature (33 Records), a track from which is coincidentally included in the cover-mounted bonus CD with the same magazine. The free CD is titled Velocity - A Jazz Yorkshire Compilation, and alongside Rob's band it includes tracks from Yorkshire's finest. Grab a one-off CD for the cover price of the magazine, £4.10.

An opportunity to hear Lavers and Kofi live comes, amazingly, on two consecutive nights in York this weekend.

Tonight Rob's quartet opens the Jazz Weekend at the National Centre for Early Music (NCEM). Tomorrow, he leads the Late Learners workshop at NCEM from 10am to 1pm.

The Tony Kofi Quartet plays later on Saturday at 7.30pm. The final event of the Jazz Weekend is on Sunday at 8pm, when the University of York's Jazz Band, Tatenda, will appear at the prestigious Walmgate venue.

Phone now for returned tickets for any of the above on 01904 658338.

The Jazz Weekends are one justification for York's boast as City of Festivals, but they can only succeed with your support.

Unsurprisingly, the response to the Sunday afternoon John Williams/John Etheridge concert was an immediate sell-out. If you were among the disappointed, a significant lunchtime consolation will be the Rob Lavers Quartet at Kennedys, Little Stonegate, from 1pm to 4pm. Rob has also launched a fortnightly jazz club on Tuesday nights at Kennedys, featuring his quartet and guests. Phone 01904 620222 for details.

One of the world's finest jazz violinists, Tim Kliphuis, returns to our region tomorrow night at Jazz In The Spa, Trustees Hall, High Street, Boston Spa (01937 842544), accompanied by the Jim Birkett Trio.

Blues fans have snapped up tickets for tomorrow night's session by the Hamsters at Howden Live from the band's website. Phone the Shire Hall, Howden, for remaining tickets (01430 431535/767282).

At an even greater premium will be tickets for the Hear and Now weekend festival of jazz singers at Howden Live (May 17 and 18). This exciting and enterprising festival features Ian Shaw, Norma Winstone, Trudy Kerr, Christine Tobin and many more. This event rivals the adventurous NCEM event above. Contact Mike Pinfold for details on 01430 422059.

South African-born singer Esther Miller and her quintet will provide an outstanding vocal treat at Scarborough Jazz the Cask, Cambridge Terrace, on Wednesday (01723 379818). Esther's quintet includes Karen Sharp, who took over Kathy Stobart's saxophone position with Humphrey Lyttelton's Band. She has been in Esther's band since 2004.

The jam sessions continue every Wednesday at the Black Swan, Peasholme Green, York (01904 686910). This York venue has been discovered by students, amazed at the high standard of musicianship at the historic York pub; an early arrival is recommended.

A third Wednesday night for jazz is in Ryedale, with Trad at the White Horse, Market Place, Kirkbymoorside. Call Wilson Hepplestone for details on 01723 859495.

Certain areas of York have disastrous TV reception and cable providers solves the problem. Other areas have no cable and resort to Sky.

Although adding to Rupert Murdoch's bank balance is as attractive a prospect as sticking a fork in your eye, the Sky Arts channel features quality jazz, plus a wide range of musical, theatrical and visual arts.

Recent programmes have included Chet Baker live at Ronnie Scott's, The Montreux Jazz Festival and a profile of Nina Simone.

Finally, take a trip to Heslington Polytechnic (as satirically titled by Laurie Taylor, ex-Professor of Sociology and BBC Radio 4 presenter).

The Roslyn Lyons Art Gallery, Music Research Centre, University of York, is hosting an exhibition, Photographs From The Shed. The pics are by Simon Thackray, Shed supremo and inspired promoter of exciting music at the North Yorkshire venue. The exhibition runs until June 27.

Ron Burnett

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